Sheet conveying, stacking, and delivering apparatus



May 2, 1950 H. s. MORRISON 2, 06,550

, SHEET comma, smcxmc, AND DELIVERING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 2'7, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTQR.

Hugh dwarf/$017. BY drug +54,

ATTORNEYS May 2, 1950 H. s. MORRISON SHEET CONVEYING, STACKING, AND DELIVERING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 27, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENIIOR. Hug/1 6. fl/ornsoxz May 2, 1950 H. s. MORRISON SHEET CONVEYING, STACKING, AND DELIVERING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 27, 1948 mmv TOR. flag/7 5 fiarr/sorz BY Fi i.

ATTUP/VEVS Patented May 2, 1950.

snsi-z'rcomma, s'raofimo, Ami DELIVERING arraaarvs Hugh s. Morrison, Baltimore, Ohio, assignor to Fairfleld Paper and Container Company, Baltimore, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 27, 1948;Serial No. 61,496 (01. 271-09) 1;

1. 16 Claims. 7 -My invention relates to-sheet conveying, stacking, and delivering apparatus. It has to do, more particularly, with apparatus of this general type which is particularly suitable for handling sheets of paperboard, such as corrugated paperboard sheets. However, my invention is not limited to the handling of paper sheets.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide apparatus for conveying sheets to a suitable lo- 1 cation where the sheets will be stacked in a group oi a predetermined number and will then be carried on to a delivery point.-

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the type indicated which will be automatic in operation and will not normally require an operator but which can be operated manually whenever it is desired to do so.

A further object of my invention is to provide apparatus. of the type. indicated which is adjustable to handle and stack sheets of different lengths.

vide apparatus of the type indicated above which is very simple yet very effective for the purposes for which it is designed. a 1 Various other-objects will be apparent.

According to my invention, 1 provide a first conveyor which is continuously driven and which Still another object of my invention is to pro-- will carry the sheets to a second conveyor which,

- Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along line of Figure 3., v

Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the second conveyor showing part of the control mechanism associated therewith, and showing the adjustable means to set the apparatus for handling different length sheets.

Figure 6 is an elevational view taken substanv tially along line 6- 8 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a transverse vertical sectional view' taken along line 1-1 of Figure 5. v

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Figure '7.

Figure 9 is-a schematic view in perspective of the conveyors and associated control mechanism.

Figure 10 is a schematic view in side elevation and section illustrating the feed and stacking of the sheets and actuation of the control mechanism.

Figure 11 is an elementary diagram of the electric circuit'of my apparatus.

With reference to the drawings, in Figures 1 t and 2 I have illustrated the general arrangement of my apparatus. The apparatus consists of a or other suitable source and will feed, them to Q the conveyor '2 upon which they will be stacked in a stack containinga preselected number of 1 sheets and'the stack will then be carried to a point of removal.

first continuously driven-conveyor onto the sectrolled by automatic control mechanism associated with the second conveyor This control mechanism is adjustable so that the apparatus can handle and stack sheets of difierent lengths.

The preferredembodiment of my invention is illustratedfin the accompanying drawings wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

. Figure 1 is a plan view of apparatus constructed according to my invention.

- The conveyor l comprises a suitable supporting framed which may be associated with a sheetforming machine that includes a pair of feed rollers 4. The conveyor 3 comprises a pair of endless belts 5 and 8, the belt 5 passing around between the upwardly inclined belts 5 and 6 which will carry them, during the stacking periods,onto

. the conveyor 2.'

Figure 2 is aside elevational view or the apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged elevational fragmentary 2 and illustrating the feed controlling gate.

' view taken substantially along line 3-4 of Figure I the conveyor 2, a gate unit I4 is associatedfw the. discharge end of the conveyor I. Thislg-ate-,

I In order to control feed of the sheets from the discharge throat between the 'belts 5 and iont'o' unit is best. in Figures 3 and 4 and I comprisesan angle bar l5 suspended transversely oi the conveyor-fl just ahead of the roller 8. This asoasso I 3 bar|5issuspendedbythecorebars|8ofapair of solenoids l1. These solenoids I] are suspended from an extension l8 of the frame 3. This exten-.

sion 18 extends upwardly from the frame 3 at i the discharge end of conveyor I. At proper times,

the solenoids 'will lower the depending flange of bar l5'across the outletfthroat between the belts 5 and 6 and into contact with a transverse I-beam l8 of the frame extension l8. This will interrupt delivery of sheets from between the belts 5 and 5. When the sheets are delivered from these belts, they pass between the feed rollers 28 (Figures 1 and 4) from the roller ID. The other roller 28 will be driven by frictional contact with the sheets being forced between the rollers 28 so that the switch may be set to permit stacking of the sheetsin stacks of different heights.

The plate 32, as shown best in Figures 5, 7, and 8, is bolted to the upper ends of a pairof gear housings 35. Each of these housings 35 project upwardly between ,two of the rollers '26. The

lower end of each housing is shaped to fit around an I-beam 36 of the frame 25, the I-beam extending transversely of the frame. It will'be noted from Figure 8, that guide brackets 31 are provided within the lower end of each of the housings 35 for cooperation with the web of the associatedI-beam. Thus, the housings 35 are, slidably mounted on the I-beams36 which are spaced along frame 26. 'Eachof the housings 35 has 'rotatably mounted therein a lower pinion 38 which meshes with a rack 38a carried on the upper side of the I-beam 38. This pinion 38 meshes with an upper pinion 38 rotatably disand 2|. The roller 28 may move vertically away from roller 2| but will normally rest against roller 2| due to gravity. Thus, it will be possible to force'one'or more sheets between these rollers which will grip them regardless of their number.

The cross conveyor 2 is at a lowerlevel than the conveyor l and is supported by a frame extending at right angles to the frame 3 and being attached thereto. This conveyor 2 is in the form of a series of transversely extending rollers 25 which are rotatably mounted on the frame 25 at the upper side thereof and are in spaced relationship throughout the length of the frame. It will be noted from Figure 5, that all :of the rollers are connected together by a, series of sprocket and chain drives 21 so that they can all be driven simultaneously. As shown in Figure 6, one of the end rollers is driven by means of a chain and sprocket drive 28 from an electric motor 28 which will be actuated during certain periods. Obviously, when motor 29 is actuated all of the rollers 26.will be positively driven.

posed in the housing. The pinions 39 are-keyed on the shaft 48 which extends laterally'of the housings 35 and behind the plate 32 with which it is parallel. This shaft may be rotated by means of a hand wheel 4| in order to move plate 32 and switch 38 towards or away from the discharge end of conveyor This adjustment is desirable to permit stacking of sheets of different lengths. The shaft may also be rotated by suitable power driven means, for example, an electric motor which is illustrated by .the dotted lines in Figure '1 as being associated with one of the gear housings 35.

The control mechanism also includes a photo-.

electric relay 42 and a light source 43 which are associated with the conveyor 2-, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The relay 42 is carried by a standard 44 supported at the angle between the conveyors l and 2 and is provided with a. supporting arm 45 which extends over the conveyor 2." -It will benoted that the relay 42 is located just within the adjacent side edge of the conveyor I,

, over the conveyor 2, and spaced slightly from For controlling the gate unit M, a limit switch 38 is associated with the conveyor 2. This switch 38 is located above the conveyor 2 directly opposite the discharge end of the, conveyor I and substantially in alignment with the longitudinal center line of the conveyor I. It will be noted that'this switch 30 is at the side of'the conveyor 2 which is spaced from the discharge end of the conveyor The switch 33 of the control mechanism iscarried by a bracket 3| which is attached to a vertically disposed stop plate or board 32 which extends longitudinally along the conveyor 2 at right angles to the rollers 26 thereof. This plate 32 is of a length at least equal to the width of theconveyor and-is directly opposite the discharge end' thereof. The limit switch 30 is provided with a depending trigger 33 which has its lower ends spaced above the rollers "of the conveyor 2. The sheets discharged from the conveyor I will pile up on the conveyor 2, which will be stationary, until the pile or stack is sufficiently high for the last delivered sheet to contact the trigger 33 and actuate the switch 33. The bracket 3| is carried by the plate 32 intermediate its ends and .is connected thereto by a screw and slot connection 34 which permits vertical adjustment of the bracket. This, in turn, will permit vertical adjustment of the trigger 33 the discharge end'of the conveyor I. The light source 43 is carried by a bracket 46 which is secured to the lower portion of the frame 25. This light source is located below the conveyor 2 in exact alignment with the relay 42 and the light beam will ers 28. I 4

With reference to Figure 11, the electric circuit comprises the incoming lines Ll L2 and L3, which lead from a suitable source of power to themain pass up between two of the roll switch 50 which has the usual fuses associated 1 three phase'electric motor 28. Leading from the therewith. From the switch the lines ILI, 11.2 and IL3, lead to the motor starter indicated generally by numeral 5|. Th lines Tl, T2 and T3 lead from the starter 5| and are connected to the two outer fuses of the switch 5| are the lines Al and A3 which connect to the gate solenoid relay 52. Lines A2 and A4 lead from the relay 52 and connect to the gate solenoids l1. Lines A1 and A3 alsolead to the transformer 55. A line A5 leads from starter 5| to atime delay relay 55 and then on to the transformer 55. A line A6 leads from starter 5| to relay 56 and then on to the transformer 55. From the transformer, the lines A5 and A5 extend to the photoelectric light source 43 which includes the transformer 51, the lines A5 andA6 continuing on from the transformer to the photoelectric relay 42. The lineA5 in passingfrom the transformer 55 to the photoelectric light source 43 connects with limit switch 35. selector switch 58, and selector switch 38. Each.

of the switches 58 and 58 can be set for hand op-- eration or automatic operation. Line A! connects switches II and It. A line Al also leads from the starter. II to time delay relay It and then con tinues to the selector switch It. The line A! leads from the'starter II to the gate solenoid relay 52. Line All leads from the starter ll to the switch 58. Line All leads from th starter to a capacitor 80 and'line AI2 leads from such capacitor into the starter. Line All leads from the starter to and from the switch I! and continues on to the photoelectric relay 42. The line AI leads from the starter -BI and runs to the photoelectric relay 42.

In the operation of my apparatus, the limit switch 30 is adjusted to the proper height to permit stacking of the sheets in a selected number. The bar 32 is adjusted to the proper position, de-

pending upon the length of the sheets to be stacked. In general, the sheets will be delivered from the forming and cutting machine to the conveyor I which will carry them'to and discharge them onto the side conveyor 2, as shown in Fig I ures 9 and 10. After a predetermined number of sheets have been delivered, the circuit is so 'arranged 'as to de-energize the solenoids I1 and to drop the gate It so as to stop the feed of sheets to the side conveyor 2 and to start movement of gate I 5, causing the accumulated pile on conveyor- I to be fed onto conveyor 2 and permitting successive sheets to be stacked. As long as one or more sheets are on conveyor 2 in the stacking position, the light beam from source 43 is broken and the relay 42 will not function, but when the beam is permitted to reach relay 42, the motor 29 is de-energized to stop conveyor 2 and the gate solenoids H are again energized to lift the gate I5. With particular reference to the circuit diagram of Figure 11, as indicated, the switches 58 and 59 may be set for man al or automatic operation. On manual oper tion, the operator can count the sheets and cause the conveyor 2 to move by setting the switch 59 for manual operation and then manipulating it properly. The gate solenoids I! may be energized and de-energized to operate gate I5 by setting the switch 58 for manual operation and then manipulating it properly. The switches 58 and 59 are shown as hand switches in Figure 9 but may be foot switches.

Since the normal operation is automatic, the detailed discussion oi the operation will be directed .to the circuit with the switches 58 and 59 set for automatic operation.

On automatic operation, assuming that one sheet has been deposited on the side conveyor 2,

the light beam to the photoelectric relayis broken and the photoelectric relay 42 is closed. As the sheets ar built up in the stack, they cause limit switch 30 to open, de-energizing the gate solenoids II, which,- in turn, drop the gate I5 causing to the time delay relay 58, which is adjustable to' vary the period of delay. After a selected time delay, the relay 58 operates and causes the motor 6 I ,thephotoelectricrelayfl. Thistimedelayallows the last sheet to be deposited on the stack on the side conveyor 2 before it starts to move. As the conveyor 2 starts to move, the limit switch II closes again Just as thestack of sheets clears it but the gatedoes not go up because the interlock on starter II is now open since the motor 2! is running. The motor 28 runs, so as to drive the conveyor 2, until the stack of sheets is moved em- 10 tirely to. one side of the conveyor I on conveyor 2,

towards the removal pointfand at this time, the photoelectric light beam, passing up between rollers 26, reaches the photoelectric relay 42 and energizes it. This causes the contacts of the relay 1 to open which, in turn, causes the dropping out which causes the gate I5 to go up and permits the conveyor I to deliver more sheets to the side conveyor 2. The first of the sheets delivered after the gate opens, again interrupts the light beam from the source 43 and closes the relay 42 there- 5 by setting the circuit up for a new cycle.

As previously indicated, one or more sheets may be fed simultaneously between rollers 20 and 2I because the rollers can adjust themselves vertically relative to each other to cooperate for the difference in thickness of material passing between them.

I Thus the sheets are conveyed, stacked and moved to a point of removal automatically. However, as previously indicated, the apparatus can be controlled manually, if desired.

40 above and others will be apparent.

Having thus described in i claim is: I y nvention, what I 1. Apparatus of the type'descri-bed for conveying and stackin articles comprising a feeding conveyor and a receiving conveyor disposed in association with each other, means for continuously moving the feeding conveyor, means for intermittently moving the receiving conveyor, means for interrupting feed of the articles from the feeding conveyor to the receiving conveyor,

and control means for controlling the said feed interrupting means and the means for moving the receiving conveyor, said control means including a control associated with the receiving conveyor and actuated to initiate movementof it when a stack of articles of preselected height is built up on the receiving conveyor, said control means also including a second control associated with the receiving conveyor and which will be P actuated by the stack of articles to stop the means for interrupting feed of the articles from the feeding conveyor to the receiving conveyor comprises a gate.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein-the first control includes an actuating member which will be engaged by the top of the stack when it reaches a certain height and wherein the second control includes an electric eye, the light beam of which is broken by any article in stacking position.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the starter ii to be connected in the circuit through 7| gate is controlled by solenoids connected in an receiving 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said actuating member-engaged by the stack of articles operates a limit switch incorporated in said circuit.

7., Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said circuit includes a switch for controlling the gate solenoids and a switch for controlling the motor which drives the receiving conveyor, each of said switches being adjustable for manual or automatic operation. I

8. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said actuating member is vertically adjustable to vary the height of the stack.

9. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said actuating member is adjustable relative to the receiving conveyor to adapt it to articles of diflferentsizes,

10. Apparatus for conveying and stacking fiat sheets of material comprising a feeding conveyor and a receiving conveyor disposed in association with each other, the receiving conveyor being substantially horizontally disposed at the end of the feeding conveyor and extending transversely thereof, means for continuously moving the feed ing conveyor, an electric motor for intermittently moving the receiving conveyor, a transversely disposed solenoid-actuated gate associated with the feeding conveyor and controllingfeed of the sheets therefrom onto the receiving conveyor, and control mechanism for controlling operation of said gate and movement of the receiving, conveyor, said control mechanism including an electric switch-actuating. member associated with the 8 v i conveyor permitting the light ray of the source to. pass therethrough and reach-the photoelectric relay, the light raybeing interrupted by any sheet in stacking position,

said s'witchactuating member actuating a switch i which is in circuit with t e gate solenoids, with saidelectric motor and- 'th said relay, actuation ofsaid switch serving to close' the gate and to initiate movement of the conveyor, and subjecting the relay to the light beam from the source serving to deenergize said motor.

11. Apparatus according to claim, 10 wherein a time delay relay is connected in'the circuit with said switch to delay energizing of the motor after actuating of said switch.

12. Apparatus according to claim .11 wherein additional switches are incorporated in said circuit for controlling said motor andsaid solenoidactuated gate, said switches being adjustablefor manual or automatic operation. I

"13. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the switch-actuating member is vertically adjust-- able to vary the height of stacking.

14. Apparatus according to claim ,13 wherein the switch-actuating member is adjustable towards and away from the dischargeend of the feeding conveyor so as to compensate for sheets of diflerent lengths. v I

: 15 Apparatus according to claim-l4 wherein the receiving conveyor is disposed at the end of thefeeding conveyor at right angles thereto, said receiving conveyor being in the form of rollers, and the photoelectric light source and photo electric relay being located to permit .the light rayto pass up through the rollers,- said photoelectric light source and-relay being; so located that the light ray will be broken as long as one of the sheets is in stacking position.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15-wherein said feeding conveyor has feeding rollers associated with its discharge end between which the receiving conveyor and spaced thereabove and 7 located directly opposite thedischarge end of the feeding conveyor so that it will be engaged when a stack of sheets of preselected height is built up on the receiving conveyor, said control mechanism also including a photoelectric relay and light source associated with the receiving consheets pass to the receiving conveyor, said rollers being relatively movable to permit one or a number of sheets to feed therebetween.

. HUGH S. MORRISON.

No references cited. 

